Sheffield United v Leeds United

Monday 24th February 2025 - Bramall Lane

2024/25 Season

Before I set off for the game, I said in my reel that a point would be good, and a win would be a bonus. Well, we got the bonus with the win, another three points plus sending the Leeds fans wild with the comeback in the last twenty minutes. At least my ears aren’t ringing like they were for two days after the Sunderland game but great celebrations once again. Lovely to see me at the front of the Leeds fans with my flag singing Marching on Together on the official Leeds site after the game.

Team:  Meslier, Struijk, Firpo, Bogle, Aaronson, Gruev, Piroe, James, Solomon, Rodon, Tanaka.

Subs:  Rothwell for Gruev (58), Joseph for Aaronson (58), Gnonto for Solomon (83), Byram for Bogle (90).

Subs not used:  Darlow, Guilavogui, Schmidt, Ramazani, Debayo.

Leeds won the game 3-1 with a fantastic comeback with goals from Firpo (72), Tanaka (89), Piroe (90).

Attendance:   29,702, 2,688 Leeds fans.

Referee:  David Webb

Booked: Tanaka

Leeds started the game by playing deep which worked in Shefield United’s favour as they ran through our midfield and defence putting us under a lot of pressure. We were very lucky when Meslier came under pressure from a corner that Gruev was there to head the ball off the line. Great defending from Gruev. There had been a lot of jostling with a Sheffield player and Meslier had pushed him away prior to this so I feel he’d taken his eyes off the ball. We weren’t so lucky with another attack when they got the better of the defence and headed against the crossbar. Sadly, for us their player at the left-hand side headed it back across the goal off the post as Meslier tried to keep it out but it went in off him.  In reality it wasn’t unexpected that they got the goal as we had been under a lot of pressure. Constant passing across the back meant we were inviting them to attack us. We weren’t strong enough in midfield with their constant runs through the middle, but I was hoping that the pressure would be off us know they’d scored. We also joked that hopefully they would now run out of steam.  We did manage to attack but although Solomon saw his shot saved by the keeper, we didn’t bother them too much as their keeper looked comfortable in goal.

At half time I knew there was no chance of going up the aisle beside me and that it would be bedlam below the stands. Luckily by going across the front of the stand to my right I was able to get downstairs and back before the second half kicked off. 

The second half kicked off and we knew that we needed to make a change, and I was hoping that Rothwell would come on sooner rather than later.  Meslier had made an important save on the edge of the box and got down to save another shot shortly after. I’d forgotten that Farke was in the stand serving a one game touchline ban but was glad when we were looking to bring on Rothwell and Joseph earlier than usual. Whilst we were waiting for them to come on Aaronson had two instances where he tangled with the opposition and my initial thoughts were that he’d get sent off before we could sub him. Luckily, he didn’t get sent off but was subbed.

Leeds were coming more into the game once our subs were made and started to get stronger. Joseph shot over the goal, Firpo’s header went over the bar, Piroe and Gnonto both saw their shots saved. Firpo didn’t make the same mistake next time as his header hit the back of the net to equalise as the team came to celebrate with the Leeds fans. If we thought that would be it, we would be very much mistaken. As we won a corner, Rothwell sent the ball into the middle where Struijk headed the ball on to Tanaka to the right of the goal. His header then hit the back of the net sending everyone into raptures and more celebrations. Before we could capture our breath, we attacked again and James to the left of us sent a great pass to Piroe in the centre and he lined the shot up sending a cracking shot into the net in front of us. Cue absolute pandemonium on the terraces as I tried hard to keep my feet with everyone going nuts. I certainly wasn’t expecting this ending again, but it was brilliant. No one moved for ages at the end of the game and to be honest I don’t think I saw anything of the five minutes of injury time added on. I didn’t even see Byram come on for Bogle. Everyone was celebrating, singing and having a ball and this time I allowed myself to join in songs about being champions despite there still being a long way to go.

Enjoying the moments as they happen are a great experience and what being Leeds is all about. A shout out for some Leeds fans at the game who had come from Finland plus others from Norway. Social media after the game was awash with everyone enjoying the celebrations. It was an important win against our Yorkshire rivals with them being in second place. Another game closer to the end of the season but enjoy the moments and see you all for the early kick off against West Brom on Saturday.

  LUFC – Marching on Together!